Why Thanksgiving Is Good For You

Even if you spring for seconds, your Turkey Day meal can be a healthy one:

After all, turkey is a great source of protein and yams pack in a powerful dose of Vitamin B. But it turns out Thanksgiving is also healthy for your soul. In fact, “thanksgiving” is a term used by psychologists Fred Bryant, Ph.D. and Joseph Verdoff, Ph.D. to describe one of the elements of savoring (the other elements are basking, marveling and luxuriating). Savoring, the shrinks say, is the awareness of deliberate, conscious attention to the things, people and events that bring us pleasure. And thanksgiving–expressing gratitude for the blessings and joy in our lives–is a way to enhance our existence and improve our well-being. No wonder that a University of California, Davis study found that being grateful can make you 25 percent happier. Sounds good to us!